Weeks 41 Through 44
Week 41
October 23
Observing Scale and Weight Fluctuations
I lost over a pound after last night’s treadmill workout.
In over an hour (five-minute cooldown) on the treadmill last night I went 4.2 miles and burned nearly 600 calories. When I got home, I weighed myself and had lost 1.2 pounds during the workout.
Most of that from sweating, of course.
Since January I’ve stepped onto my scale probably nearly a thousand times. Sane or not (not), I typically weigh myself two to three times any given day.
It’s more of curiosity more than anything, it’s not like I get down or discouraged when I weigh myself and I see I’ve gained two pounds after dinner.
Do I recommend weighing yourself several times a day? Absolutely not, especially if you’re just starting out on your journey. I have touched on this topic before, but if you weigh yourself every day (or multiple times a day) expecting to lose pounds every new weigh-in it simply won’t happen.
It’s a great way to get discouraged and drive yourself crazy.
Most gains and losses are expected and can easily be explained, while other shifts in weight are more perplexing.
Noticeable scale fluctuations (gains):
- After a Coke and bag of popcorn at the movies: +7 pounds
- After a plate of your typical Chinese food: +4 pounds
- Being constipated: +3 pounds
I weigh myself the most after dinner. Any sizable meal, healthy or not, will be an automatic gain of 1-2 pounds.
Any restaurant meal with your typical restaurant portions, healthy or not, will be an automatic gain of 2-4 pounds.
Noticeable scale fluctuations (losses):
- After mowing the lawn in 90+ degrees: -8 pounds
- After Swine Flu: -5 pounds
- 180-minute workout pledge: -4 pounds
I weigh myself the least in the morning when I wake up. Overnight, I typically lose between 1-2 pounds which is why I do Wednesday weigh-ins so early.
October 25
Counting Calories 10/18 – 10/24
Here are my calories between October 18 and October 24.
Sunday (2,620 calories)
Noon: Steak, potatoes, scrambled eggs (3), pancakes (3), lg. Pepsi = 1,350
3 p.m.: Nature Valley bars (2) = 170
7 p.m.: Big Mac w/ lg. fries, lg. Coke = 1,100
Monday (1,800 calories)
7 a.m.: mini-biscuits w/ butter and jelly (2), Nature’s Valley bars (2) = 430
10 a.m.: large banana = 120
1 p.m.: peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (2) = 600
6 p.m.: BLT sandwich (with cheese), Pop Chips = 650
Tuesday (1,730 calories)
7 a.m.: mini-biscuits w/ butter and jelly (4), Nature Valley bars (2) = 430
10 a.m.: large banana = 120
Noon: turkey sandwich w/ cheese, mayo, mustard, and pop and chips = 490
4 p.m.: Promax double fudge chocolate 70-calorie bar = 70
6 p.m.: chicken and cheese quesadilla w/ bell peppers/onions (2) = 620
Wednesday (2,400 calories)
7 a.m.: Honey Nut Cheerios, two pieces of toast w/ butter and jelly = 440
10 a.m.: large banana = 120
Noon: leftover chicken and cheese quesadillas (2) = 620
5 p.m.: Nature Valley bars (2) = 170
7 p.m.: Ye Ole’ cheeseburger, fries, ice cream, sm. Dr. Pepper = 1,050
Thursday (2,400 calories)
7 a.m.: Honey Nut Cheerios, Nature Valley bars (2) = 430
10 a.m.: large banana = 120
Noon: 1/2 order BBQ, white rice w/ hash, coleslaw, hush puppies (2) = 450
6 p.m.: Fatz club sandwich w/ fries, chips w/ salsa, lg. Coke = 1,400
Friday (2,215 calories)
7 a.m.: scrambled eggs (3), bacon (2), bread w/ butter and jelly (2 pieces) = 550
10 a.m.: Nature Valley bars (2) = 170
Noon: Moe’s The Funk Meister x 2 = 660
7 p.m.: Fair food fries, corn dog, 10 ounces of Pepsi = 800
9 p.m.: about 5 ounces of Pepsi = 35
Saturday (2,020 calories)
9 a.m.: Nature Valley bars (2) = 170
Noon: 1/2 order O’Charley’s salmon w/ rice, salad, grilled onions = 800 est.
7 p.m.: Ye Ole’ cheeseburger, fries, ice cream, sm. Dr. Pepper = 1,050
This was the last weekend of the fair, so you won’t see any corn dogs next week.
October 26
Hampton Hill Athletic Club in Columbia, SC
I witnessed my first The Biggest Loser competition last night.
I was invited by Anne, the owner of Hampton Hill Athletic Club, about a month ago to come and watch their version of The Biggest Loser last night. They have been going since August and wrap up in about a month.
She wanted me to come to check out her gym, the competition, and chat with the participants. I have to say that while I’ve never been a part of a competition like The Biggest Loser, I was really impressed.
Anne asked me to participate in the physical part of last night’s challenge, running two miles (outside), and there was no way I could turn that down. If you recall, last Thursday I ran two miles in about 30 minutes.
Sunday night during the challenge: about 23 minutes.
My first mile was something like 10 minutes and 30 seconds. The second mile was uphill for a little bit and I was definitely dragging.
I was surprised that my first “real” outdoor run had a faster mile than I’ve ever accomplished on the treadmill. I quickly realized why — I had people running in front of me and people running behind me, all trying to reach the same place.
We were holding each other accountable.
I had such a great experience, not only participating in the competition and talking to the folks but with the gym itself. So much that I joined before I left.
Starting tonight, I’ll be going to Hampton Hill Athletic Club.
October 28
I feel like I’m on Sherman’s march through the 20s.
October 28 weight: 220.6
October 21 weight: 222.4
October 14 weight: 223.4
October 07 weight: 222.6
September 30 weight: 223.6
I’ve lost 1.8 pounds in the last week and 123.6 pounds in 40 weeks.
I don’t care how long it takes me to reach 219 pounds and my final goal of 194 pounds. I just know I will. It could take another 40 weeks for all I care.
I don’t reckon it will, though.
